Is it Spring yet?

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a great weekend and aren't too bleary-eyed this morning after losing an hour of sleep!  It has been a crazy couple of days!  I had my band up north on Friday for a music festival...they played beautifully and earned a spot in the National festival in May!  I'm so proud of them!!  We were also at the wedding of a friend of my husband's over the weekend so there wasn't much time for stamping.  Fortunately, I still have lots of finished projects to share with you!  This one was for my Blendabilities Club last month...

Easter card featuring the Indescribable Gift stamp set. 

Now, you've likely heard that at the moment Blendabilities are not available for ordering due to quality issues with the manufacturer.  While this is frustrating for everyone, it is best that Stampin' Up! stops selling these products while they resolve the issues.  Think how much more frustrating it would be to order a set of Blendabilities only to have them arrive dried out or with damaged tips!  Once the issues are resolved you can bet Blendabilities will be back and better than ever!
As for how I put this one together, I stamped the focal image, from the Indescribable Gift stamp set, in Crumb Cake ink and then coloured the blossoms with Soft Sky Blendabilities.  I used Old Olive for the leaves, adding highlights with the Colour Lifter.  I added a hint of colour to the branches with the lightest shade in the Crumb Cake Assortment.

The ovals are die-cut using the Ovals Collection Framelits and I used the Occasions Paper-piercing template to add detail to the larger Soft Sky oval.  The card base is made from Crumb Cake card stock and is stamped using the Indescribable Gift stamp set in Crumb Cake ink.   The sentiment is also stamped in Crumb Cake ink.  I added some Painted Blooms Cotton Twine that I pulled apart into three sections so that I would have finer strands.  I threaded a Vintage Faceted button with some of the thinner strands and tie a bow.

On the inside I stamped the blossoms image in Crumb Cake ink and the sentiment in Soft Sky ink.  What a wonderful message for an Easter card!
I hope you have a wonderful week...spring seems to be getting nearer...we're finally on the positive side of zero on the thermometer!  Not long now.... :)

Colouring 101 - Beautiful Blendabilities

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a fabulous weekend.  My hubby and I got to have our belated Valentine's celebration last night with dinner at one of our favourite local restaurants.  The perfect way to end the weekend :)
Today I have my final post in my series on colouring.  I'm all about the Blendabilities today.  Since these awesome tools were released last spring I have used little else to colour my stamped images.  It was good to go back to my blender pens and water colouring for this series, as it has reminded me just how wonderful each medium can be, depending on the look I want.  So, here are some projects using my beloved Blendabilities:

Birthday card featuring the Bloom with Hope stamp set with sentiment from Blooming with Kindness

For this one I stamped the flower images from the Bloom with Hope hostess-exclusive stamp set using Memento Tuxedo black ink.  I coloured them using the Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil Delight assortment Blendabilities sets. I used Old Olive for the leaves and stems.  The background layer of Basic Black is embossed using the Pretty Print (retired) TIEF. 

The sentiment is from the Blooming with Kindness set and is heat embossed in gold and die-cut using the Apothecary Accents framelits.  The wee butterfly is punched from gold foil card stock using the Bitty Butterfly punch and embellshed with rhinestones.

.Here is another project featuring the Blended Bloom stamp.  I kept the same Calypso Coral colour scheme as on the projects from my previous posts in this series so that you can see the difference in the colouring media.

Thank you card featuring the Blended Bloom stamp with sentiment from Sassy Salutations

I stamped the Blended Bloom image in Memento Tuxedo black ink and coloured it using the Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delight Blendabilities assortments.  The sentiment, from Sassy Salutations is also stamped in Tuxedo Black ink.  The edge of the panel is embossed using the Delicate Designs TIEF and embellished with some ribbon from the Best Year Ever Sale-a-bration Accessory pack.

So now the question is:  Which colouring media do you like best?  In case you missed them, here are the previous projects using the Blended Bloom set for easy comparison:

Coloured using a Blender pen and ink pads.

Coloured using an Aquapainter and ink pads.

Leave me a comment telling me which one you prefer...I'm interested in hearing your opinion.  Have a great week!

Time for a taste of Spring

I don't know about you, but I've had just about enough of winter!  The weather here has been brutally cold the past week with lows that have broken 100+ year-old records.  Add to that a sinus infection that just doesn't want to let go and I need a good dose of Spring!
Today I have a project I designed for my Blendabilities Club this month.  They are receiving the Soft Sky set, so I thought it would be perfect to colour some soft blue eggs...

Shabby chic card featuring the Backyard Basics (retired) stamp set with sentiment from the Crazy About You set.

I decided to go with a Shabby chic look for this one.  The eggs, from the (retired) Backyard Basics stamp set,  are stamped in Crumb Cake ink and coloured using the Soft Sky Blendabilities.  I die-cut them using the coordinating Backyard Basics Framelits (also retired) and arranged them on a nest of Hemp twine I have been hoarding saving for years.  I adhered the nest to a doily from the Artisan Embellishments Kit and layered that on a Sahara Sand card base, stamped using the Hardwood background stamp in Whisper White Craft ink.

The sentiment banner is die-cut using the Label Card Thinlits.  This little banner is actually supposed to pop up, but I found that when I ran it through my Big Shot with Whisper White card stock I only got the cut banner without the score lines, which made it perfect for this project.  I stamped the sentiments from the Crazy About You set in Blushing Bride ink, bending the photopolymer stamps slightly so that they would follow the shape of the banner.  I adhered the banner over the nest using dimensionals.  I added a little rosette and a button from the Artisan Embellishments Kit, as well as a little bow tied from Venetian Crochet Trim.

Inside view with sentiment from the Indescribable Gift set.

On the inside I stamped a sentiment from the Indescribable Gift stamp set in Sahara Sand ink and added a little vellum butterfly, punched with the Bitty Butterfly punch and sponged lightly with Blushing Bride ink, and embellished with three little pearls.


Here's hoping we'll really be able to say "Hello Spring"  sooner than later!

Now for this week's Weekly Deals.  Some great prices on punches!  Remember, these sale prices are only good until Monday at midnight :)

2014-2016 In Color Backgrounds Designer Series Paper Stack Price: $26.95   Sale: $20.21	Amped Up Ampersands Kit - Digital Download Price: $10.95   Sale: $6.57	Celebration Basics Kit Price: $18.95  Sale: $14.21	Daffodil Delight 1/4" Cotton Ribbon Price: $7.25   Sale: $5.44
Mosaic Punch Price: $21.95  Sale: $16.46	Pansy Punch Price: $21.95  Sale: $16.46	Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Cotton Ribbon Price: $7.25 Sale: $5.44	What's Up Punch Price: $22.95  Sale: $17.21

A New Colour Challenge

It's time for a new colour challenge over at Sunday Stamps!  Check it out:

Here is my Design Team submission...

Baby Boy card featuring the Baby, We've Grown stamp set

Sometimes when I see a colour combo I can immediately picture exactly what I want to do with in my head...this was one of those times.  I knew I wanted to use the sweet bunny from the Baby, We've Grown stamp set.  I stamped him in Memento Tuxedo black ink and then coloured him using Smokey Slate and Soft Sky Blendabilities.  I punched him out using the 1-3/4" circle punch and then layered him on a 2" Soft Sky circle and a 2-3/8" Smokey Slate Scalloped Circle.  The DSP I used is from the Neutrals Backgrounds DSP stack.  I layered it on a piece of Whisper White card stock on which I had stamped the sentiment in Memento Tuxedo black ink.  I coloured the sentiment using the Soft Sky Blendabilities.  The front panel is layered on Basic Gray card stock and then mounted on a Soft Sky card base.

I added half of a Tea Lace Doily, some Soft Sky Seam Binding ribbon and three little silver glimmer hearts punched with the Hearts Border punch by way of embellishment.

On the inside I stamped the sentiment (from Zoo Babies) in Smokey Slate and added the "Brand New" label that I coloured with Soft Sky Blendabilities and die-cut using the Starburst Framelits, along with a few silver glimmer hearts punched with the Confetti Hearts Border punch.

Be sure to visit Sunday Stamps to check out the rest of the Design Team's work and then give this colour combo a try.  We'd love to see what you come up with!

You Rock!

Yes, you do.  You really do!
There...feeling ready to face the day?  ;)

Today I have another of the projects from this month's Blendabilities Club kit that features the You Rock stamp from the Annual Catalogue:

Congratulations card featuring the You Rock stamp set.

This card makes me smile.  I can't wait to send to it someone who needs a little encouragement.  I stamped the rocking chair image using Memento Tuxedo black ink on Whisper White card stock and then die cut the oval using the Ovals Collection Framelits.  I coloured the image using the Crumb Cake Blendabilities and then matted the image on a slightly larger oval cut from Basic Black card stock.

I die cut several stars from gold glimmer paper to add some bling...because every card needs a little sparkle, no?  The sentiment is heat embossed using gold embossing powder and die cut with the Stars Framelits.  I added some gold sequin trim and a few indiviual gold sequins as well.  The card base is made from some leftover textured Crumb Cake card stock I've been hoarding carefully saving for just the right occasion.

Inside view with sentiment from the Big News stamp set.

On the inside of the card I stamped the sentiment from the Big News stamp set and coloured the letters in AWSOMENESS using the medium shade of Crumb Cake Blendabilities.  Once again I added a little bling with a gold star...who doesn't like getting gold stars??

Speaking of awesomeness, check out this week's Weekly Deals!  Can you say embossing heaven??  Sale prices are good until Monday at midnight :)

Beautifully Baroque Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $9.95  Sale:  $7.46	Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $9.50  Sale:  $7.13	Lovely Lace Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $9.95   Sale: $7.46	Lucky Stars Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Price: $9.95   Sale: $7.46
More Amore Ensemble - Digital Download Price: $10.95  Sale:  $6.57	Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $9.95  Sale:  $7.46	Texture Boutique Machine Price: $36.95  Sale: $27.71	Zig Zag Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $9.95  Sale:  $7.46

Party Animal

Happy Monday!  I thought we could all use a little something to smile about today, so I've got a fun little project that was part of this month's kit for my Blendabilities Club members.  They received the Crumb Cake set this month, so I pulled out the new From the Herd set...

Birthday card featuring the From the Herd stamp set.

Isn't that llama the best??  Here is a better look at him:

Teehee...I love it!  I coloured him using the medium shade for the inside of his ears and the lightest shade for the rest of his fur.  To colour his snout I used the Blush marker from the Skin Tone set (which is on sale till Midnight tonight, by the way!!)

The rest of the card is pretty straightforward.  I used the Decorative Dots TIEF to emboss the Whisper White background layer.  The DSP is from the Best Year Ever Sale-a-bration pack, and is trimmed with some Coastal Cabana ruffled ribbon (retired), which just happens to be the exact same texture as the ribbon in the Sale-a-bration Best Year Ever Accessory pack, which I used for the bow.  I stamped the sentiment, which are both in the From the Herd set, in Crushed Curry and Coastal Cabana inks

On the inside I stamped the sentiment from Really Good Greetings using Coastal Cabana ink and then the balloons from the From the Herd set using Crushed Curry, Coastal Cabana and Calypso Coral inks.

Inside view with sentiment from Really Good Greetings.

I hope this little project makes your Monday a little brighter...have a great week!

Lotus Thank You

Today I have another project featuring the gorgeous Lotus Blossom Sale-a-bration set.

Thank you card featuring the Lotus Blossom stamp set.

I love how quick and easy it is to create this beautiful water-coloured look with just stamps and ink!  To create this one I simply stamped the three layers of the blossom using, in this order, Blackberry Bliss ink, then Rich Razzleberry ink full strength and then Rich Razzleberry ink again, but stamped off lightly.  For the stem I used Old Olive ink and then Mossy Meadow ink.  The sentiment is stamped in Black Berry Bliss ink.

 I layered the stamped panel on a piece of Blackberry Bliss card stock and then added some Blackberry Bliss Stitched Satin Ribbon (which is on sale this week!)  as well as some pearls that I coloured with the Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities.  The Whisper White background panel is embossed using the new Spring Flowers TIEF and is then layered on a Blackberry Bliss card base. 

On the inside I stamped the flower again, as I did on the front.  So pretty!
To get your hands on this stamp set, visit my webstore to place your $60 order and choose the Lotus Blossom set as your FREE Sale-a-bration reward.  You'll be glad you did...this set is beautiful!

Only Two More Sleeps...

...till Christmas Day!  There is still so much to do, but the excitement certainly is growing in our household!  Each new gift that appears under the tree must be shaken, sniffed and carefully examined to determine its contents.  Christmas sure is fun with a 7-year-old in the house! 
I have been so busy shopping, baking and wrapping gifts that I haven't had much time to play in my stamp room (unless you count the hours spent wrapping!).  I do want to show you the third project I designed for my Blendabilities Club this month...

Any Occasion card featuring the Blended Bloom and A Dozen Thoughts stamp sets.

Can you believe I achieved that soft watercolour look with Blendabilities??  Its SO easy!  First of all, I stamped the Blended Bloom image in Melon Mambo ink.  Did you know that there are several Classic ink colours that work with Blendabilities?  Check out the list below:

• Always Artichoke
• Baked Brown Sugar
• Blushing Bride
• Calypso Coral
• Coastal Cabana
• Crisp Cantaloupe
• Crumb Cake
• Crushed Curry
• Daffodil Delight
• Garden Green
• Hello Honey
• Marina Mist
• Melon Mambo
• Lost Lagoon
• Old Olive
• Pear Pizzazz
• Pink Pirouette
• Pistachio Pudding
• Pool Party
• Pumpkin Pie
• Sahara Sand
• Smoky Slate
• So Saffron
• Soft Sky
• Tangelo Twist
• Tangerine Tango
• Tempting Turquoise
• Wild Wasabi
• Wisteria Wonder

 Now, to create the soft colour, begin by colouring 4-5 petals at a time with the lightest shade of Melon Mambo Blendabilities.  Then go over each petal with the Colour Lifter, working in a circular motion using the fine tip.  Be sure to only work 4-5 petals at a time, so as not to allow the ink to set completely...it is much easier to lift the colour when it is still damp.  I really worked the folded parts of the petals to achieve a very light shade of pink.

For the centre of the flower I coloured the stamens using the lightest shade, but didn't use the colour lifter on them.  The area between the stamens and the centre of the flower I coloured with the medium shade of Melon Mambo Blenda's.  The centre is coloured with the lightest shade of Old Olive Blenda's and then lightened further with the Colour Lifter.
The rest of this card is pretty simple.  I used the Perfect Polka Dots TIEF to emboss the background and the Circles Framelits to create the cut-out for the bloom.  The sentiment is from the A Dozen Thoughts set and is stamped in Pear Pizzazz ink.  I used some Melon Mambo 1/8" Taffeta ribbon by way of embellishment.  The entire card is on a Pear Pizzazz card base.

I kept the inside very simple to allow lots of space to write, stamping the Blended Bloom image twice in Melon Mambo ink.

Now for today's Weekly Deals...these prices are good until Monday at midnight.

A Fitting Occasion Wood Stamp Set Price: $46.95 Sale: $35.21	Be The Star Wood-Mount Stamp Set Price: $35.95  Sale: $26.96	Blushing Bride Baker's Twine Price: $3.95  Sale:  $2.96	Chalk Talk Framelits Die Price: $30.95  Sale: $23.21
Chocolate Chip 3/4" Chevron Ribbon Price: $12.50   Sale: $9.38	Midnight Cheer Ensemble - Digital Download Price: $10.95  Sale:  $6.57	Oh My Goodies Wood-Mount Stamp Set Price: $30.95  Sale: $23.21	Squares Collection Framelits Die Price: $32.95  Sale: $24.71